Automatic valve or gate for weirs or the like.



v H. BUGHLER.

AUTOMATIG VALVE 0R GATE FOR WEIRS OR THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.15, 1909.

Patented 0013. 18, 1910.

HANS BI TCHLER, OF ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 STANWERKE A. G., OFZURICH, SWITZERLAND.

AUTOMATIC VALVE OR GATE FOR WEIRS OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 18, 1910.

Application filed December 15, 1909. Serial No. 533,192.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HANS BtioHLnR, a citizen of the Re ublic ofSwitzerland, residing at Zurich, bwitzerland, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Automatic Valves or Gates for VVeirs or theLike; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic valves, crests or gates for weirs andthe like and has for its object to control the deliver Y of water from adominant pool (pond, lake or canal) to a spillway, race or the like.

Referring to the drawings, in which like parts are similarly designated:Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is alike view of a modification. Fig. 3 is a detail view of anothermodification.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, a is the level of the dominantpool A which is to be controlled by the movable dam or crest 1. This damor crest 1 is of any suitable construction and is hinged at l) in asuitable manner to the masonry, concrete or other base B at the outletfrom the dominant pool into the spillway or race C. At each side of thedam are suitable abutments D provided with curved faces 6. The curvatureof the faces which is identical in both is such that they form acontinual rise toward the race or spillway. Spanning the space betweenthe two abutment-s and resting at each end on them is a roller weight 5acting as a counterweight for the dam or crest 1. c is a shoe or stopfor retaining the weight or roller 5 in its lower end position. 2 is awire rope secured at one end of the crest at d and at its other end tothe roller 5 after first making one or more turns about the roller.There are two of these ropes one at each side of the crest 1 andadjacent each abutment D, however their number may be increased at willin accordance with the size of the crest, and the weight to besustained.

The operation is as follows: As the level a in the dominant pool risesthe hydrostatic pressure on the crest 1 increases. This will proachesthe tangent point of the rope 2 at the roll 5, consequently the leveragetending to pull the crest up is constantly increased as the roll 5travels up the curved surface 6.

Referring to the modification Fig. 2, in this structure the weight andthe curved surfaces supporting the weight are placed below the crestinstead of above it as in Fig. 1. The level a of the dominant pool A ismaintained by the dam or crest 1 which is hinged at b to the abutment Bbetween the dominant pool A and the spillway or raceway G. 6 is one ofthe curved masonry or other supports for the rolling weight 5*.Pivotally connected to the crest 1 at d is a rod 3 whose other end isconnected at e to one end of the wire rope 2 or chain or equivalent theother end of which rope or the like is connected to the roller 5 afterpassing one or more times around the same. As the crest 1 rotates aboutits pivot Z) the rod 3 is moved downward causing the rope 2 to unwindfrom the weight 5 and thus cause the weight 5 to roll up the incline 6,increasing the leverage of said weight acting through the rope 2 and rod3 on the crest 1 in a manner similar to that described with respect toFig. 1.

It is of course understood that there may be any number of curvedsurfaces 63 for supporting the roller weight 5* and that this rollerweight is connected to the crest l by any number of rods 3 and ropes 2that it may be found expedient to use in accordance with the size of thecrest.

I have illustrated the rollers 5 and 5 as solid shafts resting uponsmooth curved surfaces 6 and 6, however it is quite obvious that thesecurved surfaces may, as shown in Fig. 3, be formed as racks 6 and theweight 5 provided with teeth 5 capable of engaging therewith. The weightitself may assume any form capable of fulfilling the functions of therollers 5 and 5.

I claim 1. The combination with a hinged crest,

of a weight, upwardly directed surfaces on which said weight rests andis designed to travel, and a flexible connection between the crest andweight a portion of which is wound 011 and maintained tangential to theweight under all conditions of operation.

2. The combination with a hinged crest; of an upwardly directed curvedway, a weight capable of traveling on said way and a flexible connectionbetween the weight and crest for the supporting of the latter a portionof which connection is wound on a portion of the weight and ismaintained tangential thereto under all conditions of operation, wherebyincreasing hydrostatic pressure will cause the crest to automaticallymove about its hinge point and cause the Weight to move on the way andsimultaneously increase the lever arm of the weight with respect to thecrest.

3. The combination with a hinged crest;

of an upwardly directed curved way above the crest, a roller Weightcapable of traveling on said way and a flexible connection weight tomove on the way and simultane ously increase the lever arm of the weightwith respect to the crest.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HANS BUGHLER.

Witnesses ERNST TILLMANNs, CARL CUBLER.

